School children doing homework outdoors. © Can Stock Photo / 4774344seanSchool children doing homework outdoors. © Can Stock Photo / 4774344sean
Chatham

More childcare coming to CK

Chatham-Kent is getting more childcare spaces.

The Ska:na Family Learning Centre (SFLC) announced on Tuesday that it is building two new centres in Chatham and Wallaceburg. The new locations will be on sites at 25 Eighth St. in Chatham and 1531 Dufferin Ave. in Wallaceburg. SFLC said the plan is to have the centres in operation by the end of 2020. It also has childcare centres in the Windsor and Sarnia areas.

The learning centre offers an Indigenous culturally-based curriculum with a land-based learning approach. The Ska:na Family Learning Centre is a not for profit, charity organization serving families with children up to 12 years of age. It was founded in 2003 by the Parent Council of an early-childhood education program from the Can-Am Indian Friendship Centre to develop early childhood educational programming.

Ska:na has also been awarded the contract to provide Indigenous early childhood programs and said it will be opening its Early Ontario (EarlyON) site at 67 Adelaide St. S before the end of 2019. EarlyON centres offer free, high-quality drop-in programs for families and children up to six years old. Parents can learn and play with their children, meet people, share information and get referrals from early childhood professionals.

SFLC will also be offering mobile and pop-up Indigenous EarlyON programming in EarlyON sites and a Before and After School Indigenous curriculum in schools throughout Chatham-Kent.

"Chi Miigwech – Thank you to the Chatham-Kent Municipal Council for this opportunity to serve the children and families of Chatham-Kent," Ska:na officials wrote in a news release issued on Tuesday afternoon.

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